Biography

Pedro R. Lowenstein, MD, Ph.D. is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan. He received his M.D./Ph.D. from the School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The focus of his research program is to discover the cellular, molecular, and mathematical basis underlying the growth patterns of malignant brain tumors, and the interactions between cancer cells with the tumor microenvironment, in both experimental models and in human patients. Another focus of his research program aims to harness the new information obtained on the mechanisms of tumor growth for therapeutic intent. Specifically, he will utilize nanoparticles targeted to peri-tumoral blood vessels to block GBM invasion. Recent work discovered that both rodent and human glioma cells and glioma stem cells disperse from the primary tumor inoculum by growing along peri-tumoral blood vessels. We predict that eliminating the vessels which support GBM growth and invasion will elicit long term survival of tumor bearing animal, and thus, this approach could become a future therapy for GBM. The long term goal will be to translate this strategy into early phase clinical trials. In this regard, Dr. Lowenstein’s pioneering work in gene therapy for glioblastoma multiforme has been approved by the FDA and a Phase I clinical trial will commence at the University of Michigan imminently.

Areas of Interest

High-Grade Gliomas

Antigen Processing/Presentation

Cell Homing/Trafficking

Cytokine Networks

Innate Immunity

T-Cell Activation

Viral Infections in the Brain

Gene Delivery

Apoptosis

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)

Hematopoiesis

Cell Signaling

Immune Suppression

Cancer

T-Cell Biology

Animal Models of Disease

Vaccine Development

Gene Therapy

Research Focus

The focus of Dr. Lowenstein's research program is to discover the cellular, molecular, and mathematical basis underlying the growth patterns of malignant brain tumors, the molecular and cellular mechanisms that mediate tumor immune escape and the interactions between cancer cells with the tumor microenvironment, in both experimental models and in human patients suffering from malignant brain tumors. His group has shown that galectin-1 knockdown in cancer cells causes the eradication of intracranial glioma in RAG1-/- mice lacking mature B- and T-cells by sensitizing tumor cells to NK cytotoxicity. Conversely, in NK cell depleted RAG1-/- mice, and severely immunocompromised NOD-scid IL2Rg null mice, galectin-1 deficient glioma cells progress killing the host with 100% efficiency. C57BL/6J mice with intact B- and T-cells enable galectin-1 deficient glioma growth only when NK cells are depleted. The data indicate that adaptive immunity is not required for galectin-1 deficient glioma rejection. Investigation is underway into therapeutic galectin-1 suppression to improve outcomes in patient survival by heightening NK immune surveillance.

Current Research Activity

“Endogeous glioma models: use of lentivirus vectors to express genetic lesions encountered in human tumors: role in tumorigenesis, invasion and the immune microenvironment.”

Chair/Organizer, Methods Workshop: “Scientifically Significant Challenges for the Future of Translational Medicine: A View from the Trenches”, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 101st Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, April 17-21, 2010

Nominated Member, College of CSR Reviewers, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, from 2010

Honorary Professor, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 2010

Biography included in “Who’s Who in America”, “Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare” and “Who’s Who in the World” published by Marquis, USA 2003 Editions.

Biography included in “Who’s Who in American Education”, published by Marquis, USA 2004-2005 6th Edition

Referenced in the “Who’s Who in Science”, 2001 Edition.

First Prize. Best Dissertation submitted to the School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Academic Year 1984.

Bursary awarded from the Wellcome Trust and The British Pharmacological Society to assist the attendance to the 9th International Congress of Pharmacology, London, July 29 - August 3, 1984.

Credentials

Medical Degree

M.D. (Cum laude), School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1981

Post-Graduate Degree

Ph.D. (Medical Sciences [Summa cum laude]) for thesis “Studies on the molecular basis of the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines in the pineal gland and the central nervous system”, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1984

Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Department of Psychiatry, The John Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1986